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When to Plant Peas in De Baca County, NM

Peas

Peas are a cool-season legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Garden peas are shelled, while snap and snow peas are eaten pod and all.

De Baca County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 4,981 feet, De Baca County receives approximately 15.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Peas during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Peas will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Peas successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

De Baca County, NM (Zone 7a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

De Baca County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Peas

Peas needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peas Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in De Baca County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Peas Planting Timeline — De Baca County, NM

Peas Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Aug 14
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 – Aug 24

Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

55–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

178 days in De Baca County

Growing Tips for De Baca County

Direct sow as early as soil can be worked in spring. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium for best nitrogen fixation. Provide trellising for climbing varieties.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Peas Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let pods dry brown and papery on the vine.
Storage Store airtight; viable 3 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Self-pollinating means varieties stay true.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peas in De Baca County, NM?

De Baca County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Peas planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is De Baca County, NM?

De Baca County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.

🌱

Your De Baca County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for De Baca County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for De Baca County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.